ASH® 2025 roundtable: Turning hematology innovation into real world progress

At the 2025 ASH® Annual Meeting, Inizio brought together experts from across the organization to reflect on the scientific breakthroughs shaping hematology and what they mean for people, providers, and life science innovators. Inizio attendees included: 

• Dean McAlister, EVP, Inizio 
• Matt Wadyka, President, US Medical Affairs, Inizio Medical 
• John L’Ecuyer, Executive Director, Global Business Development, Inizio Advisory 
• Dan Parker, EVP, Enterprise Business Development, Inizio 
• Kelly Malloy, SVP, Customer Engagement, Artificial and Augmented Intelligence, Inizio Medical 
• Alexis Cogswell, VP, Real World Insights, Inizio Medical 

As scientific momentum accelerates and commercialization grows more complex, the group discussed how organizations can keep pace, and what it will take to translate innovation into real-world impact. 

From approval to adoption: Helping innovation reach people faster 

Many clients at ASH® were focused on what happens after a therapy receives approval. 

Dean McAlister, EVP, explained that organizations are eager for clearer visibility into how their launches are performing and how to adjust in real time.

“The science will not sell itself. Clients need to understand how their launch is going and how to make it better so more patients can benefit.”

This reflects a major theme of ASH® 2025. Developing breakthrough science is only the first step. Ensuring meaningful access for people is now the defining challenge.

As organizations look to strengthen adoption, scientific momentum is simultaneously reshaping the treatment landscape.

Modality momentum: CAR-T, bispecifics and new myeloma data 

Modality innovation remained a major driver of excitement this year. 

Matt Wadyka, President, US Medical Affairs, noted that CAR-T therapies are moving earlier in the treatment pathway and continue to dominate discussions.

Matt also pointed to strong BTK (Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase) inhibitor progress and impactful new multiple myeloma data from the CARTITUDE and MajesTEC-3 studies.

John L’Ecuyer, Executive Director, Global Business Development, added that this wave of innovation is heightening competition.

“We are seeing potentially practice-changing combinations. Differentiation is essential in such a crowded space.”

Dan Parker, EVP, highlighted that while scientific advances are encouraging, access is still a challenge. Only a small percentage of eligible individuals currently receive CAR-T treatment, which is why interest in bispecifics is rising as a more accessible option.

Breakthrough modalities can only reach their potential if the ecosystem around them evolves at the same pace, especially diagnostics and community readiness. 

Diagnostics, AI, and the need for community readiness 

Diagnostic tools continue to evolve, especially in areas like biomarkers and MRD (Minimal Residual Disease) testing.
Kelly Malloy, SVP, Customer Engagement, Artificial and Augmented Intelligence, spoke about the growing role of AI in supporting diagnosis and pattern recognition. 

“AI can comb through large data sets and find patterns that are invisible to the human eye, but it needs human oversight. It is about augmenting – not replacing – the experts.” 

Alexis Cogswell, VP, Real World Insights, shared that while diagnostic capabilities are expanding, community providers are not always equipped to implement them. 

“There is a gap in getting these treatments and tests to the places that see most patients.” 

Supporting adoption beyond academic centers will be essential as new modalities move earlier in treatment. 

These shifts highlight why differentiation and connected strategy are becoming core priorities for companies navigating increasingly crowded spaces. 

Strengthening differentiation through connected strategy 

With more therapies entering similar spaces, companies need clear value stories and integrated planning across scientific, medical, and commercial teams. 

Matt Wadyka emphasized that earlier line competition makes differentiation even more important.

John L’Ecuyer noted that Inizio’s connected capabilities help companies craft both their scientific and commercial narratives.

Dan Parker explained that this also includes addressing real world considerations such as access pathways, patient support, and engagement with treatment centers.

“There is a wide range of areas that need to be supported. We help bridge those gaps.”

Looking forward, the group agreed that the next era of hematology will require even deeper alignment across functions and modalities. 

Looking ahead: Preparing for the next era of hematology 

ASH® 2025 highlighted a field full of momentum and possibility. It also raised important questions for the future: 

• How do we support equitable access as modalities expand? 
• How do we bring insights together earlier across R&D, medical, and commercial teams? 
• How do we use AI responsibly to strengthen expert decision making? 

These questions reinforce the importance of Intelligent Commercialization™ – connecting human insight with data, technology, and AI to accelerate smarter, faster decisions and real-world impact across the commercialization lifecycle. 

As Dean McAlister put it:

“It is not just about telling clients how it’s going. It is about showing how to make it better and helping more patients benefit sooner.” 

In conclusion 

ASH® 2025 made clear that scientific progress alone is not enough. Success will depend on how effectively organizations integrate insights, remove barriers to access and bring clarity to an increasingly complex landscape. By connecting evidence, strategy, and real-world expertise, hematology innovators can ensure breakthroughs translate into meaningful patient benefit. 

Partner with Inizio 

Inizio helps hematology innovators bring life-changing therapies to people with confidence, clarity, and speed. 

Learn more about our work in hematology or get in touch today.